The general idea is that drug abuse is a health issue.
so, people need to go to the doctor and ask for help.
but for that to happen, 2 things also have to happen:
Health needs to be free
drug abuse needs to not be a crime, or people will be fearfull of seeking help
as long as health is not free, the US will never exit this drug epidemic...
The drug epidemic will continue to be a problem as long as health insurance companies exist and have any power whatsoever. These companies must be forcefully put down.
Which will not happen, as the sole driving force in this entire country is the profit motive.
in general you dont want private sector dealing with "negative" products.
like patients, drug addicts, prisoners.
because the private sector will find ways to increase "product consuption" (generate more patients, drug addicts, prisoners)
there are many states.
some richer, some poorer, with different people voting and different problems to solve
all you need is 1 state, to do the right thing.
then people on the next moderate state will thing "hey, maybe that works"
The government probably will not let it happen because companies like United Health for example will bribe politicians handsomely to drop or cripple legislation like this.
Universal Healthcare would drastically cut into the profits of United Health and others. .